The Osun State Government on Thursday denied allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that it looted N11bn, describing the claim as false and an attempt to justify what it called the unlawful freezing of the state’s accounts.
The government also alleged that the anti-graft agency acted on the instructions of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to prevent the payment of palliatives to civil servants.
In a statement issued in Osogbo by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government insisted that no public funds had been looted, adding that available resources were being channelled into infrastructure, workers’ welfare and other developmental projects.
Alimi said the freezing of the state’s accounts was politically motivated and represented “the climax of Oyetola’s anti-workers’ obsession.”
According to him, despite the account restrictions, the state had successfully paid the approved palliatives to workers following negotiations with labour unions aimed at cushioning the impact of the current economic hardship.
“The real reason the commission froze the state account on the order of Gboyega Oyetola was to stop the payment of palliatives which the state government promised the workers some months ago,” he said.
He maintained that the payment was not the first cost-of-living subsidy provided by the Adeleke administration, noting that similar interventions had been implemented previously to support workers.
The commissioner further accused the EFCC of carrying out a politically motivated investigation since March 2026 without establishing any evidence against government officials.
“The EFCC has been conducting a witch-hunting investigation since March 2026 without any indicting evidence against top officials. Government officials are being harassed on a weekly basis, all with the sole aim of distracting them from delivering good governance to the Osun population,” Alimi alleged.
The state government also rejected the allegation that ecological and other state funds had been diverted, insisting that its financial records reflected prudent management.
“There is no fund to loot in Osun State as the little resources we have are expended on the many mega projects, workers’ welfare and sectoral developments for the benefit of the masses. We reject attempts to tarnish the image of our hardworking governor,” the statement read.
Alimi argued that even if the EFCC believed any offence had been committed, due process required the agency to investigate and prosecute suspects through the courts rather than freezing government accounts.
He added that Osun had received recognition for budget implementation and audit transparency, maintaining that the commission’s allegations were an afterthought designed to justify what he described as an illegal action.
“It is sad that a commission will lie to destroy the image of a state to cover up an illegal action that has backfired. This alibi from the commission is an afterthought and it cannot stand the test of truth in reality and court of public opinion,” Alimi stated.
The statement comes amid the ongoing dispute between the Osun State Government and the EFCC over the freezing of the state’s accounts, with both parties offering conflicting explanations for the action.
